Final Walkthrough Checklist

Final Walkthrough

Highlights

• Scheduled 4–6 weeks before your wedding.

• Required meeting to review timeline, vendors, décor, floor plans, and logistics.

• Typically takes 2–3 hours, walking through each part of your day.

• Couples, and key vendors (if available) should attend — not the whole wedding party.

• We’ll use your shared Google Planning Sheet to finalize details.

• By the end, you’ll leave with a clear game plan and peace of mind..

  
  

About 4–6 weeks before your wedding, we’ll have a Final Walkthrough meeting at Rixey Manor. This is the big planning milestone where we review every aspect of your wedding on-site. By this point, most of your vendors and details will be decided, and it’s the perfect time to iron out logistics and make sure nothing is overlooked.

Scheduling

We require that the Final Walkthrough take place roughly one to one-and-a-half months prior to your wedding date. We’ll reach out to schedule a date and time that works for everyone. Ideally, both of you attend in person. If one partner or a key vendor can’t, your parent may attend in their place. We recommend keeping the group small — only those directly involved in planning should be there. Too many voices can distract from the purpose of the meeting.

What to Expect

The Final Walkthrough is thorough and usually takes a couple of hours. We will mentally walk through every minute of your day: the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces, and discussing setup for each. We’ll review décor placements, seating layout, timeline, vendor logistics, lodging, and more. You don’t need every detail figured out before you arrive — we’ll help fill in the gaps together. By the end, you’ll have a clear game plan and we’ll have updated notes for our staff.

What We’ll Review/Finalize

• Google Sheets Workbook: We use a shared planning workbook with multiple tabs. By Final Walkthrough, fill in as much as you can. We’ll review each tab (Timeline, Vendors, Décor, Questions, etc.) and finalize them. Confirm details on the Front Info tab (guest count, ceremony time, etc.). Vendor tab: names of vendors, arrival times, and contact info. Décor/Setup tab: specifics of what goes where, and any special instructions. Questions tab: open items from you or family members.

• Vendor Contracts: We’ll confirm we have current contracts for all vendors in HoneyBook. If you’ve made changes (extended hours, switched vendors, etc.), please upload the new version and remove outdated ones. This includes contracts for rehearsal dinners, brunches, or additional events.

• Timeline: We’ll go through your timeline in detail — from when hair and makeup start, to shuttle departures, to the sequence of reception events. If you don’t have a timeline yet, don’t worry — we’ll build one together. Be prepared to decide when speeches happen, who is giving them, and what time you want photos (like golden hour shots).

• Floor Plan & Seating: We’ll finalize your table layout: rounds, longs, sweetheart table, or special reserved tables. If your seating chart is ready, we’ll place it; if not, we’ll at least lock in the number of tables and their sizes so you can finish later.

• Décor Details: We’ll go through each space and discuss décor. For example, “Guest book on the front porch, moved inside after cocktail hour.” Pro tip: label your décor bins by area (ceremony, reception, cake table, etc.). It saves time for everyone.

• Remaining Questions: If your parents or others have questions but can’t attend, gather them ahead of time. Common ones include parking for handicapped guests, what happens if it rains, or when you can rehearse. No question is too small — this is the time to ask.

• Inspiration Photos: Upload any must-have inspo shots to HoneyBook. We’ll look at them together and discuss how to achieve your vision (or create smart alternatives if something is out of budget).

• Meet the Team: You may meet Rixey staff who’ll be working your wedding day. We also love when couples share a photo of themselves — we post it in the staff area so everyone recognizes you and can greet you by name.

After the Walkthrough

You’ll leave this meeting feeling confident and excited. We’ll update your official documents (timeline, floor plan, etc.) and send reminders for anything still outstanding (marriage license, shuttle confirmations, etc.). From this point forward, we’ll check in regularly to keep everything on track — your job is mostly to enjoy the final month and let us handle the logistics.

Remember, the Final Walkthrough is the time to raise anything on your mind, no matter how small. Want to practice your ceremony entrance? We can do that. Not sure when to schedule your first dance? We’ll figure it out. It’s a long meeting, but it’s also fun — a chance to imagine your day from start to finish. By the end, you’ll likely hear us say, “We’ve got this.” And we do. ✅